Why universities are slow in implementing transformation

Prof Kurt April says today's graduates are demanding that education reflects today's world and not be based on historical events.

With a shift in the way things are done, be it in politics, technology or the environment, today's graduates are demanding that the change reflects the evolving world.

Prof Kurt April, Allan Gray Chair in Values-Based Leadership says the graduates have different expectations around transformation and the need for educational institutions and workplaces to adapt accordingly and move forward.

He says the problem is that those setting the curriculum still draw on the historical knowledge which they think is relevant while students are demanding things that have not traditionally reflected on the curriculum.

Africans have created many solutions for the context which are not reflected in the studies and the knowledge we produce.

Prof Kurt April, Allan Gray Chair in Values-Based Leadership

We are not travelling to Morocco, Liberia and Kenya to gather the greatest advances they are doing. They are creating many solutions for the communities which could be constructive for us.

Prof Kurt April, Allan Gray Chair in Values-Based Leadership

April acknowledges that the transformation needed in our institutions is moving at a snail pace and needs to be accelerated.

Universities are like government, we are quite slow even though we are constantly looking for new knowledge and ways of doing things.

Prof Kurt April, Allan Gray Chair in Values-Based Leadership

To hear the rest of the conversation with Prof Kurt April, listen below: